Awakening to the dharma (truth) means waking up to what is true, about waking up to ourselves and the essence of who and what we are. The word awake comes from Old English, awæcnan, meaning: to spring into being, arise, originate.
Our practice is one that allows, nourishes and matures the awakening of our love. It doesn’t create love, it doesn’t manufacture love it, our love arise or springs into being by itself, a natural component of our heart’s awakening.
It has been a joy to witness the fruit of the dharma as it come into being in my own life. I walk in the park (Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California) that I live next to almost every day. One of the ways my practice manifests is in the love that I feel for all the people (and beings) in the park.
I was surprised when this first arose. Feelings of love, affection, appreciation, enjoyment, delight and warmth starting arising on their own and I couldn’t understand it. It didn’t make logical sense, but it was present and recognizable in my consciousness. I didn’t know why it was there but the why didn’t matter, it was simply true. And, it was clear that I didn’t create it. It originated by itself. Following this I began to recognize the small or ordinary kinds of love I felt for life in others, in myself, in the world, in small moments of delight or goodness.
Look for yourself at love. Spend the next days or weeks being mindful of love.
- Notice what you love whether it’s a person or a pet or a flower or a book or a cartoon or an experience or a moment of ease or the intelligence of another human being. See what happens as you recognize whatever you love.
- Send some love in the form of compassion or kindness or care to someone who is suffering
- Read poems/prose about love, joy, delight, amazement or wonder that touch your heart.
Here is what Albert Einstein wrote about love:
– Albert Einstein
When scientists looked for a unified theory of the universe, they forgot the most powerful unseen force. Love is light, that enlightens those who give and receive it. Love is gravity, because it makes some people feel attracted to others. Love is power, because it multiplies the best we have, and allows humanity not to be extinguished in their blind selfishness. Love unfolds and reveals.